Community Corner
Moe's Southwest Grill Opens Today
Restaurant Owner and Southington resident Bruce Steminsky says he's found the perfect place to open his new eatery.
When restaurant franchise owner Bruce Steminsky searched the state for a perfect place to live while planting 13 Moe's Southwest Grill chains, Southington was the answer.
Steminsky opens his Moe's restaurant today at 720 Queen Street in the Shaw's Plaza. After buying the rights to 13 stores, he picked Southington as one of the towns to start a business and raise a family.
"We went driving around the state, and Southington really jumped out at us because Queen Street is always busy, it has traffic any time of the day and night and it's in a great area," Steminsky said. "And because we have two kids-nine and eleven years old-we wanted to come here for its great school district," Steminsky said.
Steminsky likened Moe's Grill to a southwestern Subway. The store is "fast casual," so there's no wait staff, but the ingredients are all fresh, and menu items are made to order in front of the customers.
"The quality and freshness is outstanding, so if people want to eat something better than the other place down the street, and they don't want to pay 15 or 20 percent tips, this is the place to go," he said. "Plus, it's fast, so you don't have to wait for a good meal."
Steminsky, who also owns a Moe's Grill in Fairfield, said his eatery also appeals to vegetarians and the health-conscious crowd, since his wraps, rice bowls, salads, burritos and more can be custom made with his 25 fresh ingredients including tofu.
Plus, all ingredients are free of trans-fats and MSG, and none of Moe's kitchens feature microwaves or freezers.
"You can look at it two ways," Steminsky said. "People either come here because it's a healthy alternative, or they come here because it just tastes really good. Either way, it works."
Steminsky employs about 20 staff members from the area, and has already made friends with the business community sharing his plaza such as Casual Curtain and CVS.
He's applied for a permit to sell beer in the business zone as well.
Moe's hours are: Sun. - Thurs., 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Menus can be found at www.moes.com.
